The prominent uses of drones and Commercial unmanned aircrafts in the UK

Neu Robotics
Nov 4 · 5 min read

UK drones use cases 2019

Drones and Unmanned aircrafts seem to be a market favorite these days. The versatile technology permits a safe, cost-efficient and time-efficient result in the respective domains it is used. Be it to shoot films (commercial UAS), explore potential and geographical goldmines (oil and gas reserves), security purposes such as aerial surveillance, etc. The UK has in recent times employed its use vastly and to potentially aid the growth of:

The Public Sector:

The government has made the use of drones an integral part of their Industrial Strategy. This includes governmental bodies such as the Moray Council and Promote Sheltland which insist that its use reduces survey costs and simultaneously provides us with aesthetically attractive tourist spots and ventures all the while being cost-efficient, time-efficient and logistically appropriate. The UK also employs its use in safety and security protocol; mainly the Police who uses UAS and drones to detect suspects or track missing persons via attaching thermal sensors to the devices, this also gives them the added benefit of remaining incognito which ensures efficiency, along with radio communication with officers on ground duty.

For example, Essex police have also considered using UAS to track and deter hare coursers, poachers and rural burglars (Recent high profile successes include Lincolnshire Police deploying their thermal imaging drone in October to find a 16-year-old rape victim and her alleged attacker within minutes of the 999 call.)

Additionally, Emergency Rescue Services employs its uses for coastal environments and potential flooding scenarios. Many fire and rescue services also rely on UAS to make operations safer, faster and cheaper.

Futures of cities
Futures of cities
https://www.ukconstructionweek.com/news/cities-of-the-future-could-be-built-by-robots-mimicking-nature--construction-buzz-208

· Infrastructure & Construction

A significant part of the UK’s developmental policy is the use of UAVs/drones which are now serving multiple spectrums in the construction department. Construction drones paired with job-specific software and accessories, have fast become a utility on the job site, most notably contributing to construction site safety, productivity and efficiency for both large-scale and small-scale companies alike. Reports suggest that over 20% of work-related accidents occur in the construction industry, this is reduced by the use of drones because they are logistically more agile and flexible presenting real-time and relevant footage which introduces companies to both the pros and cons of the project.

The Department for Transport (DfT) launched a consultation on the safe use of drones at the end of 2016, the response to which was published on 22nd July 2017, and included proposals in the following key areas: stimulating drone innovation and enterprise in the UK

One of the main articles of the prospectus with the usage of drones is: Building Information Modelling (BIM) which is basically the methodology of managing and statistically analyzing the construction project. It is an extensive digital catalog that can be shared and worked upon by all stakeholders. It is prodding both investors and workers alike to evaluate collected calculated data results.

Furthermore, this has allowed plausible automation on construction sites such as on-site surveillance and monitoring. Drones known as the Skycatch Explore1 are slated to be used in order to operate robotic construction vehicles. A ProDroneWorx survey estimates that there has been an estimated growth of 19% per annum from 2017 to early 2019 in the application of drones on construction projects in the UK.

According to the survey, the top 3 reasons for adopting the technology are improved data quality 56%, time-saving 54% and the reduction of risk 42%, as stated by leading company Kier. Kier, one of the leading construction companies in the UK uses methodologies of progress capture, 360 photography to measure radial area and photogrammetry. This allows most companies to maximize the benefit of outcome and profit and minimize the occurrence of loss and misuse. This in turn, of course, allows the companies to reflect and evaluate the needed level of knowledge and expertise required to assess and implement improvement and thus increase profit percentages in monetary and practical value.

Some analysts believe that by 2020 the commercial drone industry will be estimated to account for more than 5 billion USD, while seemingly still being feasible and agile — both economically and systematically. While construction speeds all over the UK, so does the demand in the drone market which makes this asset for providers and a luxurious utility for the builders and construction companies estimated to be accounted itself for billions of dollars.

· Agriculture

The UK is employing the use of drones quite rapidly in agriculture. Current reports suggest that more than 18% agricultural businesses in the UK are using drone systems which are controlled by agro-intelligent AIs, software. These provide on-demand aerial data which includes: plant counts, targeted application of fertilizers and insecticides, detect weeds and potential diseases, measuring the percentages of biomass and nitrogen. The list also includes automated navigation maps and calculated measurement reports which in turn help for the quick detection of probable malfunctions like unbalanced pH levels in the soil which cause fluctuation in the size, quality and quantity of the produce itself, thus affecting the gross yield adversely.

Many agro-companies seem to be adamant to adapt to this as it minimizes their initial capital investment; a good sum of which goes into employing man-power. This cuts down on employing cost and the risk factor of human error, all the whilst being time saving and cost-efficient. (Last year a farm in the UK was the first in the world to successfully plant, tend and harvest a 4.5-tonne crop of barley without a single person ever setting foot in the field — report) While basic drones cost as low as 50 pounds, some industrial-level prototypes can cost up to 1000’s of pounds, so the appeal is rather coherent. The sales are expected to be exceeding 1 billion by 2024.

It can be said that the UK is very confident in the use of drones for commercial applications; be it in the public sector and commercial sector — it aids both small-scale and large-scale businesses respectively as it increases efficiency at the ground level. However, some agencies (predominately social) have said that the concerns regarding this are: invasion of privacy, trespassing issues and authorized legality and illegality of operations. As for how fast and how far the market expands — only time will tell.

The Neu Robotics Team

InstagramTwitterFacebook

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade